[Avodah] Taxes

[Efraim Yawitz]

On Wed, Jul 2, 2008 at 1:23 PM,  Micha Berger  wrote:
> Taxation and Dina Demalchusa
> Rabbi Hershel Schachter

> It is important to note that today the basis for taxation is totally
> different from what it was in Talmudic times. Today, all modern countries
> provide a variety of services:

> And even if much of the tax money
> goes towards expenditures that are not to one's personal liking and
> that one gets nothing out of, such is the halacha of any partnership:
> the majority of the partners have the right to determine what are the
> reasonable needs of the partnership (Choshen Mishpat 163:1). Therefore,
> this majority has the legitimate right to force the minority to contribute
> their share towards properly furthering the partnership.
>
This all sounds nice on paper, but my real question was, what happens
when democratic government becomes a 'tyranny of the majority'?  Are
there any circumstances where we can recognize a government as
corrupt, or as usurping its powers, and our obligation to pay taxes no
longer applies?